Principal Civil Engineer

Principal Civil Engineer
Groundwater & Surface Water Management

Location: Durham
Salary: £70k base + car

About the Role

Our client are looking for an experienced Principal Civil Engineer to join their Technical Team and play a key role in delivering technically excellent projects, developing their people, and supporting the continued growth of the business.

This is an opportunity for an accomplished engineer who enjoys leading complex projects, building trusted client relationships and mentoring the next generation of technical specialists.

The Role

As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will be a senior member of the Technical Team, leading projects from inception through to completion while providing technical leadership across groundwater and surface water management disciplines.

Working closely with the Directors, you will take ownership of project delivery, ensure the highest standards of technical quality, and support business development by strengthening existing client relationships and identifying new opportunities.

You will also play an important role in coaching and developing Senior and Assistant Engineers through day-to-day project leadership and structured professional development.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Provide expert technical leadership across civil engineering, groundwater and surface water management projects.
• Lead complex engineering and permitting strategies across UK jurisdictions.
• Resolve challenging technical issues and provide authoritative guidance to project teams.
• Apply specialist expertise in civil engineering, surface water and groundwater management.

Project Leadership

• Lead projects from initial scope through to successful delivery.
• Manage project programmes, resources and budgets.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as the primary point of contact on assigned projects.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the highest technical standards.

Technical Review & Quality Assurance

• Review, approve and sign off technical reports, drawings and analytical outputs.
• Ensure all deliverables meet the highest quality standards before issue.
• Lead complex technical reporting and provide clear, practical recommendations for clients.

Data Analysis & Modelling

• Oversee geological, hydrogeological and engineering analysis.
• Lead the selection and application of analytical and numerical modelling techniques.
• Interpret complex datasets and provide technically robust solutions.

Team Development

• Coach and mentor Senior and Assistant Engineers.
• Support professional development through knowledge sharing, structured feedback and technical guidance.
• Promote a collaborative, high-performing technical culture.

Business Development

• Support the Directors in developing new business opportunities.
• Build long-term client relationships.
• Represent the business professionally at meetings, industry events and with regulators and stakeholders.

Health, Safety & Professional Standards

• Lead site activities and client-facing site meetings.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, RAMS and company procedures.
• Maintain responsibility for project quality, technical risk and professional standards.

About You

You'll be an experienced civil engineer with a strong technical background and a passion for delivering high-quality engineering solutions.

You'll also be a natural leader who enjoys developing people, solving complex technical challenges and building trusted client relationships.

Essential Requirements

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Significant experience delivering groundwater, drainage or water management projects.
• Strong knowledge of groundwater control, surface water management and civil engineering design.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical projects.
• Excellent technical reporting and review skills.
• Strong understanding of UK environmental legislation and permitting processes.
• Proven ability to manage client relationships and lead project delivery.
• Excellent communication and mentoring skills.
• Current CSCS Card.
• Full UK driving license.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working towards chartership.
• Experience of hydrogeological assessment and groundwater modelling.
• Experience working with regulators and environmental permitting.
• Commercial awareness and experience supporting business development.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Flexible and hybrid working.
• Professional development and structured career progression.
• Opportunities to lead nationally significant projects.
• Support towards continued professional development and chartership.
• A collaborative and supportive technical environment.
• The opportunity to influence the future growth and direction of the business.

Career Progression

This role offers a clear pathway to Director level, with opportunities to expand your technical expertise, lead strategic projects, contribute to business growth and mentor future technical leaders through the Professional Development Programme.

If you're looking for a senior engineering role where your technical expertise, leadership and professional judgement will have a real impact, we'd love to hear from you